Power in Digital Business Ecosystems - Finding Leverage for Cantonal Banks

Abstract

This master thesis explores the emerging concept called digital business ecosystem (DBE) and its impact on cantonal banks. Special focus is placed on the issue of power in such digital business ecosystems. The thesis statement is ‘It is possible for cantonal banks to establish power in a digital business ecosystem’. One research question and six sub-research questions are derived and tackled with dedicated research designs. The overarching objective is to support cantonal bank managers in ensuring the economic survival of their respective organisations. Therein focus is set on helping cantonal bank managers in making sensible decisions with regard to the management of power in the context of digital business ecosystems. The literature review points at existing gaps regarding the still ambiguous term definition of the DBE concept, incomplete understanding of the role of power in DBEs, and a general lack of dedicated management methods that are specifically designed to address the challenges of the digital age. A pragmatic research philosophy is adopted to support the focus on practitioners. Both inductive and deductive reasoning are used....